Grundfos has just inaugurated its new North American headquarters in Downers Grove, Illinois.

The Chicago area was chosen because of its proximity to the resurging manufacturing sector surrounding the Great Lakes and its open political climate promoting advancements in water infrastructure and sustainability.

Søren Ø. Sørensen, Grundfos Group Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Grundfos North American Board, explained the importance of Grundfos North America to the global business strategy.&nbsp;
- North America is one of our most important growth markets and is the world’s single largest market for pumps with a total market of $6.5 billion. To grow our share of this market, we will continue to invest in product development, local production, and our workforce. We will grow our sales to $1 billion by 2017, and as a consequence of our growth, we anticipate adding a significant number of jobs in the U.S, he says.

Grundfos anticipates creating new jobs as well as playing a major role in the further development of critical water initiatives in the state and around the country, according to Jes Munk Hansen, President of Grundfos North America.

-The Chicago area is emerging as an important hub for the water industry and is one of the reasons why we’re establishing our North American headquarters here. Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois have shown commitment to water issues, most recently through his $1 billion initiative to upgrade water infrastructure across the state,

The governor of Illinois Pat Quinn, who recently launched the $1 billion Illinois Clean Water Initiative to protect public health, create thousands of jobs and overhaul the state’s aging water infrastructure, welcomed Grundfos to the state.

-I am pleased that Grundfos has chosen Illinois as the location for their North American headquarters, Governor Quinn said.

- Illinois continues to be one of the best places to do business in the world, and my Clean Water Initiative has made Illinois even more attractive for international businesses like Grundfos. Today’s announcement will grow our economy and strengthen our water infrastructure, while creating jobs.

This year Grundfos celebrates its 40th anniversary in the United States. In North America, Grundfos employs nearly 1,600 people – 1,300 in the U.S. alone – and is continually expanding its regional expertise.